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was inadequate for carrying an increasing traffic load. The issues were eventually separated,but <br /> four months passed before Waterman appeared before the Council again. This time,he presented <br /> a draft ordinance granting him a twenty-five-year franchise "for the purpose of transmitting and <br /> distributing electricity for lighting,heating power and other purposes, in and through the Village <br /> of Elk River." The village's role was reduced to a regulatory one, with Waterman taking on full <br /> responsibility for electric distribution as well as production. The Council voted unanimously in <br /> favor of the contract, and also agreed to pay Waterman $100 per month for installing and <br /> maintaining fifty- to sixty-candlepower streetlights.18 <br /> Et A RIVER.MSN.,.IANUASx1'27,7976. Waterman was eager to fulfill the contract, and quickly <br /> finalized plans for a power plant and dam. The economic <br /> demands of World War I, however, slowed his search for <br /> financial backing. Finally, by June 1915, Waterman had <br /> secured the necessary money and incorporated the Elk <br /> River Power and Light Company. He became president of <br /> the closely-held company, with his wife as vice president, <br /> v and M. E. Waterman (presumably Maude or Myra, one of <br /> his daughters) as secretary.19 <br /> By this time, however,he was nearly in default on the terms <br /> l of his franchise agreement with the village, which <br /> apparently required him to provide power by September 1, <br /> 1915. Since construction could not possibly be completed <br /> so quickly, Waterman went before a special meeting of the <br /> Village Council in June to amend the start-up date. This <br /> was extended to January 1, 1916,with the new ordinance <br /> F.D. Waterman(Sherburne County granting Waterman a twenty-five-year franchise to furnish <br /> Star News,.January 27, 1916) power to the Village of Elk River for a maximum rate of <br /> twelve cents per kilowatt hour. Each customer would be <br /> charged a minimum of one dollar per month. The earlier street light ordinance was revised as <br /> well, granting a fifteen-year term and outlining more specific arrangements. The system would <br /> include at least forty 60-candlepower and ten 100-candlepower lights, plus four additional lights <br /> for a park bandstand. They were "to be lighted one hour after sunset and extinguished one hour <br /> before sunrise, except on moonlight nights." The village was to reimburse Waterman for the <br /> actual cost of buying and installing the fixtures. He was also authorized to erect power lines as <br /> needed.20 <br /> The delay provided ammunition for those who questioned the likelihood of the project's success. <br /> Some dubbed it"Waterman's Folly." Their suspicions appeared to have some merit when ice <br /> slowed construction, pushing the project's completion date back nearly three weeks. Temporary <br /> 18 The Main Street Bridge,a metal truss dating from 1884,was finally replaced by a concrete structure in 1920;see <br /> Jeffrey A.Hess, "Elk River Bridge,"Historic American Engineering Record(HAER)No.MN-54,"prepared by <br /> Hess,Roise and Company for the City of Elk River,April 1992. The council's deliberations are summarized in Elk <br /> River Municipal Utilities Commission Minutes,December 4, 1914,and June 22, 1915. <br /> 19"Here's Man who Furnishes Elk River Electricity,"Sherburne County Star News,January 27, 1916. <br /> 20 Elk River Village Council Minutes,June 22, 1915. <br /> 6 <br />